 Poetry: December 11, 2019 Issue [#9906] |
This week: Relax with a bit of Christmas poetry! Edited by: eyestar~*  
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 Happy December! I am happy to be your guest editor today. 
Ah, a peaceful moment! Let's share some seasonal poems and chill!
I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty.
—Edgar Allan Poe |
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Why not take a silent moment here and celebrate Winter and Christmas with some lovely poetry! Poetry has been written to celebrate and honour Winter and the Christmas season for years, in rich language and even song. Spiritual, secular, bleak or hopeful, individual or communal themes have been shared by many poets, reflecting all of the facets of humankind at this time of year. Which ones to you remember? Which ones do you ponder? Which ones can you relate to? I was reading and came across some that struck a note with me. Enjoy!
 As I am known to talk to trees myself, I enjoyed the unique E.E. Cummings and his child voice in this charming piece, published in "The Dial" in 1920. It highlights the tree as a tradition of Christmas from a child's point of view with a touch of humour. The descriptions are so vivid and sweet. 
little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don't be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i'll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you're quite dressed
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they'll stare!
oh but you'll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we'll dance and sing
"Noel Noel"
I was looking through some childhood books at my mom's and came across a favourite author: Robert Louis Stevenson, who also wrote of winter:
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.
I always enjoy hearing this inspiring poem set to music: from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
We are still dreaming of that peace!
And one of my old favourites to share with kids! Who can resist "How the Grinch Stole Christmas?" Here is an excerpt: my favourite part!
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”…
I love William Blake's "Cradle Song" and it befits the season as well. Published in 1789 in Songs of Innocence.
Sweet dreams, form a shade
O’er my lovely infant’s head;
Sweet dreams of pleasant streams
By happy, silent, moony beams.
Sweet Sleep, with soft down
Weave thy brows an infant crown.
Sweet Sleep, Angel mild,
Hover o’er my happy child.
Sweet smiles, in the night
Hover over my delight;
Sweet smiles, mother’s smiles,
All the livelong night beguiles.
Sweet moans, dovelike sighs,
Chase not slumber from thy eyes.
Sweet moans, sweeter smiles,
All the dovelike moans beguiles.
Sleep, sleep, happy child,
All creation slept and smil'd;
Sleep, sleep, happy sleep,
While o’er thee thy mother weep.
Sweet babe, in thy face
Holy image I can trace.
Sweet babe, once like thee,
Thy Maker lay and wept for me,
Wept for me, for thee, for all,
When He was an infant small.
Thou His image ever see,
Heavenly face that smiles on thee
Smiles on thee, on me, on all;
Who became an infant small.
Infant smiles are His own smiles;
Heaven and earth to peace beguiles.
Here is another deemed a favourite poem by many...based on a lyric by Father Joseph Mohr in 1818 Austria, with music by Franz Gruber. I also like the story of its inception in the nick of time for a Christmas service. I could imagine the silence in the church service with only guitar and voices. The creativity and faith of people is immense. The song now declared an intangible cultural heritage according to UNESCO. 
"Silent Night" the lyrics that are familiar
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia.
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour is born.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King.
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.
Do you have a favourite seasonal poem or poet?
May you enjoy the wonderful peace and love of the season.
eyestar
http://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=1693: Silent Night by Joseph Mohr
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Cradle_Song_(Blake,_1789)
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50952/a-christmas-song
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   Enjoy my wintry picks!
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Try to describe ice skating without those words.  
any prompt you like! 
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come on, you can do it. 
You could win big and have fun! 
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 Share your favourite Christmas/ seasonal poem or song with us!
Thanks everyone for responding to my newsletter "Poetry Newsletter (November 13, 2019)" !
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